Super Eagles striker Kelechi Iheanacho marked his first Premier League start of the season with a goal and an assist as Leicester City thrashed home side Aston Villa 4-1 at Villa Park on Sunday, Completesports.com reports.
It’s Iheanacho’s second goal in the Premier League this season after scoring a dramatic winner in a 2-1 win against Everton in his first league game of the campaign last Sunday.
Iheanacho got on the score sheet in the 41st minute to make it 2-0 after tucking home James Maddison’s perfect delivery.
Before finding the back of the net, Iheanacho set up Jamie Vardy for the first goal in the 20th minute.
He was later replaced by Harvey Barnes in the 64th minute.
Iheanacho’s Nigeria teammate, Wilfred Ndidi, was also impressive for Leicester City as he played the entire duration of the match.
Jack Grealish reduced the deficit for Aston Villa when he scored two minutes into first half added time to go into the break at 2-1.
Former Manchester United defender Johnny Evans restored Leicester’s two-goal advantage when he made it 3-1 On 49 minutes.
And with 15 minutes remaining in the game, Vardy put the game beyond doubt when he grabbed his second goal and Leicester’s fourth.
The win saw Leicester maintain a second spot in the table on 38 points, and are eight points behind leaders Liverpool.
The Foxes have now won eight straight league games and nine in all competitions so far this season.
At St James’ Park, struggling Southampton missed the chance to move out of the relegation zone as they lost 2-1 to Newcastle United.
Danny Ings put Southampton 1-0 up in the 52nd minute before goals from Jonjo Shelvey on 68 minutes and Federico Fernandez on 87 minutes, secured a 2-1 comeback win.
And at Carrow Road, another relegation threatened side Norwich lost 2-1 to Sheffield United.
By James Agberebi
13 Comments
I’m so happy for iheanacho
Dude seems to be grabbing his second wind
Keep up the hard work brother
God gat ur back
Yeso, i have said it earlier that kelechi has discovered his killer instinct since pre-season, but had to suffer long to regain the coaches’ confidence. I think missing the last AFCON was the right recipe to create the hunger in him again.
With a goal ration of 4 goals in 4 matches with 2 assists in all competition for Leicester city. And this coming in not more than 180mins of action, i think the Kelechi we use to know and love is back.
Come to think of it, he scored only 4goals in 42 matches previously for Leicester, but now 4 in 4 with 2 assist. So the killer in the box is back. Congrats to Kelechi, congrats to Rogers, congrats to Leicester city and congrats to Super Eagles.
You couldn’t have said it better. Kelechi seems to have turned the corner and it’s so pleasing to see.
The kid always had it in him but got caught up in the web of fame and fortune at such a young age. Always had the best goal to game ratio in the EPL in his early years in the Man city first team.
He has shown enough to move back up the pecking order in LCFC’s attack. Infact he’s even showing that kind of form that made the club feel he could challenge Vardy for the starting slot. Anything short of a starting shirt now is undermining his potentials. The lad has either scored or assisted Everytime he’s been called upon this season. Let’s hope the trend continues and he keeps raking up minutes of game time too. That’s what the lad needs now more than anything else.
Our prayers are gradually being answered now….time to turn prayer attention towards Success and Awoniyi.
Selection headache for oga Rohr! Though I know it will be an excuse not to give new players a chance again.
Selection headache no be small. Osimhen we battle Kelechi, Maja, Cyril, not forgotten Olayinka, Onuanhu, Dennis.
But. While Cyril will need to wait for the right time (friendly match) to get invited, Kelechi can walk right back into the team, at least bench, because he is not a new player and the coach already knows his ability. He’s not only a goal poacher, but a giver of killer passes. Winning the golden boot in 2013 with 6goals and 7 assists while Osimhen won same in 2015 with a record breaking 10goals and 2 assists.
So if Kelechi can maintain this momentum SE will be deadlier than ever.
iheanacho and pepe are similar in style. welcome back my attackin-midfielder. playing 90 mins for super eagle mean u must get atleast assist or a goal. i too believe in fast left footer. my free kick expert.
Kudos. That is the reward of resilience towards self determination of capability and goal respectively. May God help you and other Nigerian struggling players both in club and SE
_ Iheanacho to leave Leicester? _
It wasn’t that long ago that many fans were advising Iheanacho to leave Leicester City to (attempt) to save his career.
The word ‘attempt’ was deliberately interjected into my sentence above because – believe it or not – there are those who had actually written the young man off.
But, do you blame them? For a long time, Iheanacho cut a pitiful shadow of the player who devastated in under 17 football and demolished at Man City.
However, since moving to Leicester City, it is the young man’s career that was looking devastated and domolished into the doodlrums.
And just when you thought it was going to get better, Iheanacho missed a sitter against Manchester City last season to put beyond any doubt that his best days were behind him.
There could be no coming back from that miss, could there?
Iheanacho made his first start of the season today and the question was whether he would look the part in this new look Champions League destined Leicester City side (despite his goal in their penultimate league match).
However, the Under 17 World Cup winner played with verve exactly like the rest of this Leicester side, as if he had been involved all along; he was purposeful, incisive and devastatingly effective.
He was also crisp, sharp, imaginative and clinical.
His movement and sublime pass created the first goal for Vardy whilst pristine timing and a killer instinct allowed him to register his own name on the scoresheet for Leicester’s second.
This is not the kid that missed the sitter against Manchester City last season. This is a reborn rejuvenated and re-energised Iheanacho.
And just like in Christianity, old things appear to have passed away for born again Iheanacho.
“I was so pleased for him because there’s him and a number of other guys that don’t feature so much and sometimes they’re not even on the bench,” said coach Rodgers last week.
“But that’s a result of how hard he works and he stays focused. He’s very much there for the team.”
So, should Iheanacho leave a Leicester city side aiming to play Champions League football next season?
I don’t think so!
SE plays are in good performance at their various clubs this week . I like that .up Eagles
With the way the iheanacho played today Rohr’ has no choice but to invite the lad for our next matches.I was impressed with his pace and hustle on and off the ball. As one of is main critic the boy was a different player today, hope to see more of this new Kele.
Hmm, human beings. People have to understand these simple words “Life and Time”
At times, life is a challenge.
Meaning, what you know how to do best always may be difficult to do easily some times.
That doesn’t mean you depreciated in knowledge, ideas but there’s time for everything.
So sorry for speaking in parable. This our people deserves this.
However, don’t forget that everyone has is own challenges but with prayer, focus and determination, you will over come your problems.
For this reason and I quote Anthony Joshua in his interview yesterday immediately after he won the titles.
“You know what they saying, stay hungry, stay humble. I’m hungry, I’m humbled in defeat and I’m going to remain humble in victory.
I am seeing Hammed Musa spirit in iheanacho. Stop blaming
Iheanacho because he is not a lazy player but a hard working guy and there’s time for everything in life. I’m proud of you iheanacho.
Stay hungry, stay humble and never relent. Ire o. God bless Nigeria!!!
I will say it again Nigeria should thank god for Brendan Rodgers in Kelechi Iheanacho’s Career he has managed to bring out the self confidence in the boy by believing in him. it is something special from her and come boxing day it will be an all African affair when Leicester Host Liverpool. Ndidi and Iheanacho vs Mane Salah and Keita. AMen!!. Rogers and Iheanacho my hat and heart goes out to you both.
iheanacho plays the kind of game I want from Iwobi. “hold onto the ball”. and drive forward like pepe with the ball. fastful to look dangerous with the ball.